His failure to show up at any of those hearings led one person close to the committee to believe he was no longer on it.

The ABC understands some committee members are angered by Mr Palmer's disregard for his responsibilities.

One said: "It is unprecedented that someone doesn't show."

A spokesman for Mr Palmer said he did not know why the leader of the Palmer United Party had not attended the hearings, but said Mr Palmer was "busy fighting for Australians and that is more important".

Mr Palmer was named as a member of the Standing Committee on Economics in December last year.

At the time he was reported as saying he wanted to use the position to achieve "something for Australia", adding that his expertise in business would benefit the committee.

Mr Palmer has a history of no-shows at committee hearings.

In July this year he failed to appear before a hearing on last year's federal election despite demanding an opportunity to give evidence.